Carrickshock 2-15 Ahascragh-Fohenagh 0-6

Richie Power of Carrickshock during the AIB GAA Hurling All-Ireland Intermediate Club Championship final match between Ahascragh - Foghenach and Carrickshock at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

A classy Carrickshock side inspired by some legends of Kilkenny hurling swept to victory in the All-Ireland Club IHC final at Croke Park last night.

Richie Power, John Tennyson and Michael Rice have so often graced the hallowed turf, and they did so again in majestic fashion to lead their club to a convincing triumph.

They become the fourth Kilkenny side to win the All-Ireland Intermediate title in the last six seasons, following on from Clara, The Rower-Inistoge and Bennetsbridge.

There was never any doubt about the outcome, such was the gulf in class, and at no stage did Ahascragh-Fohenagh look likely to become the first Galway club to lift this title.

Richie Power got things going with a couple of early scores, and the Kilkenny men were soon comfortably in control, with Niall Tennyson and captain John Tennyson keeping things tight at the back.

Michael Rice was a colossus around the middle, but they struggled to create clear scoring chances against a stubborn but hard-worked defence in which Brian Kilroy and Padraic Mannion worked tirelessly.

Mannion sent a series of long deliveries deep into opposition territory, but invariably, they were dealt with comfortably, and with a six points lead by the end of the opening quarter, the Leinster champions didn’t look to be in too much trouble.

Kevin Farrell and John Power had also found the target, and they appeared capable of adding to the growing tally.

Cathal Mannion was the one man with the tools to break down the Carrickshock defence, and he danced through for a couple of scores, but that was his side’s lot in the first half.

In the 23rd minute, the Kilkenny side was awarded a penalty when Richie Power was dragged back by Padraic Mannion, and goalkeeper Jamie Power stepped forward to blast the ball past opposite number Donal Kelly.

They led by 1-6 to 0-2 at the break, and struck for a second goal four minutes into the second half, Damien Walsh cleverly poking the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Kelly before rolling it into an empty net.

Mannion apart, Ahascragh just didn’t have the firepower to trouble the Leinster men, who were growing in confidence with every clean strike of the sliothair.

Richie Power moved into exhibition mode with a handful of spectacular scores as he brought his tally to six.

And Mark O’Dwyer sprinkled a little magic dust on proceedings with tricks and flicks on his way to a cheeky point, stretching the lead out to 14 points, with the outcome already beyond doubt.